News Briefs
123 Wilson Elser Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America 2027 List
August 20, 2026
Christopher Flanagan is the regional managing partner of Wilson Elser’s Boston office and the coordinating partner of the firm’s London insurance market practice.
Chris is a versatile and experienced attorney, handling litigation defense, insurance coverage and insurance coverage litigation, bad faith claims and litigation, and excess liability monitoring matters throughout New England for the U.S. and London insurance markets.
Chris’ defense practice focuses on commercial and complex tort litigation in state and federal courts, with emphasis on general liability, product liability, professional liability, employment practices liability, marine liability, trucking and transportation liability, and construction liability and defect.
Chris’ insurance coverage practice involves analysis, counseling, and litigation of first-party property and third-party liability primary, excess and bad faith insurance matters for both the U.S. and London insurance markets. Chris’ first-party property work for the London insurance market involves both delegated and open market matters.
Chris is frequently asked by insurers to utilize his skills to monitor excess liability claims and litigation, including analysis, advice, and settlement negotiations.
Chris has developed strong client relationships through trust, responsiveness, reliability and attention to detail. His prior experience as an underwriter strengthens his understanding of the insurance business, from procedures to policy language, and contributes to his effectiveness with coverage analysis and as a litigator.
Areas of Focus
General Liability
Chris defends general liability actions involving alleged defective or hazardous property conditions and negligent security. These actions typically involve contractual indemnity claims with a focus on transferring risk or obtaining other insurance coverage for the client to reduce potential exposure.
Insurance Coverage
Chris handles insurance coverage and bad faith matters and litigation involving first-party property and third-party liability primary and excess insurance policies. With specific regard to first-party property insurance matters, Chris has handled appraisal or reference proceedings to determine the value of claims, as well as defended insurers in breach of contract and bad faith actions.
Product Liability
Chris has defended a wide range of products, including manufacturing and industrial machinery, construction equipment, chemicals, recreation equipment, consumer appliances, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and health products and supplements. These cases often involve wrongful death and catastrophic injuries, including brain damage, amputation and paralysis, as well as substantial economic claims.
Professional Liability
Chris defends insurance agents and brokers, lawyers, and other professionals. Chris counts a preeminent international insurance broker, and a major U.S. excess and surplus lines broker among his professional liability clients.
Employment Practices Liability
Chris represents employers before administrative agencies and in state and federal courts in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. The claims that he defends involve discrimination based on age, race and gender, harassment and wrongful discharge. He has also advised clients on and litigated matters involving non-compete and non-disclosure agreements.
Marine Liability
Chris defends boat and personal watercraft accident claims and cases, which typically involve catastrophic and permanent injuries, including amputation and brain damage.
Trucking, Transportation & Cargo
Chris represents trucking and transportation companies, including long-haul truckers, in matters involving personal injury, death, property damage, and loss of cargo.
- New England Law | Boston (J.D., 1994)
- Saint Anselm College (B.A., 1989)
- Massachusetts
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Maine
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire
- U.S. District Court, District of Vermont
- New Hampshire Bar Association
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
- Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association
- Loss Executives Association
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®, 2024-2027
- Selected for inclusion in Massachusetts Super Lawyers®, Personal Injury ‒ General: Defense, 2021‒2026
- AV® Preeminent™ Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America™, Personal Injury Litigation ‒ Defendants, 2018‒2023